Phonics - The English Alphabetic Code

Synthetic Phonics consultant and programme designer ( http://www.phonicsinternational.com ) Debbie Hepplewhite demonstrates the sounds of the English Alphabetic Code and explains how her free materials can help anyone learn to read, write and spell in the English Language.

Debbie's programme is suitable for anyone of any age. It is really supportive of both the teacher and the learner. It is designed for use in any setting including schools, homes and for home-schooling - for both mainstream and 'special needs' teaching.

Category:

Education

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• synthetic phonics
• debbie hepplewhite
• phonics international
• learn to read
• spelling
• learning english
• english alphabetic code
• alphabetic code
• reading
• phonemes
• dyslexia
• special needs
• intervention program
• intervention programme
• hear the sounds
• teaching reading
• literacy
• phonics games
• alphabet
• phonics

[akava77]

Looks like this course might be ok for children in England, but for Scottish accents, some of the words are pronounced differently to the examples in the video clip.

The i sounds in Tie and Night are slightly different, but the oo sounds in Book and Moon are exactly the same.

In the words Fork, Mermaid, Artist, Hair, Deer the letter R would always be pronounced.

Does anyone know if a version of the material is available to take this in account, otherwise it would have to be adapted.

[PhonicsInternational]

Thank you for your comment - it's a good one and many people will benefit from discussion about pronunciation.

It's straightforward for teachers simply to say, "In our country/region, we pronounce those letters [or that grapheme] like this......".

It may well be that those regions/countries where the r-controlled vowels are pronounced with more emphasis on the 'r' would prefer to use the Alphabetic Code Overview Charts made for the USA/Canada.

[akava77]

Hello Debbie - thanks for that. You might be interested to know the question of Synthetic Phonics was brought up during First Minister's Questions in the Scottish Parliament this week, and Alex Salmond said he and the new education minister were keen to see this method of teaching reading re-introduced in primary schools in Scotland.

I think spelling anomalies must make the English language one of the most difficult for young children and even for non-native speakers to learn to read.

[PhonicsInternational]

Thank you for mentioning this. There was a time when some people wanted to change the terminology of 'synthetic' phonics to 'systematic' (and this is still the case with some UK government figures) but I am one of those that thinks we must distinguish modern 'synthetic phonics' as being different from 'systematic' - because it is! The focus is very much on phoneme level alphabetic code and the skill of blending all-through-the-word.

[hyylo]

hi

could someone please tell me the difference between jolly phonics and synthetic phonics?

[PhonicsInternational]

Synthetic Phonics is the general term for a set of teaching principles for teaching reading and spelling. Jolly Phonics is a programme for infants which is underpinned by the synthetic phonics teaching principles. Phonics International builds on the good work of Jolly Phonics - but PI can be used for all ages (mainstream and intervention) and is much more extensive progressing to a spelling programme once learners can read. Thank you for your question. Debbie

[64mollie]

@PhonicsInternational Hi - In reference to the comment above I just wondered if you have any plans to produce any charts/materials that are relevant to Scotland. Although I like the look of your programme there are so many variations that it makes the materials difficult to use. I noticed that you had done some work in Scotland so was wondering if this issue had been addressed there. Thanks

[cyclingalongthecoast]

Thanks Debbie,

Great stuff and very helpful. I was thinking of doing a similar thing for my classroom blog.

Great to help parents help their own children at home too!